Bad smell causes concern
The odour was caused by a chemical imbalance at the sugar mill.
Declining air quality over the past three weeks has left several residents of Albersville, Port Shepstone and Umtentweni complaining of chest and breathing problems which have in some cases required medical attention.
Ward councillors raised the alarm and the Umbango River Conservancy also expressed its concern at the quality of water flowing into the river.
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Ray Nkonyeni Municipality chief whip, Selvan Chetty called an urgent meeting with the management of Illovo Sugar Mill on Monday this week to discuss water and air pollution reportedly emanating from the mill.
Councillors, municipal officials, conservancies and environmental activists also attended.
The mill management reported that the odour was being caused by a chemical imbalance in the holding dam where waste water was managed.
This chemical imbalance occurred as a result of salt water entering the plant’s cooling system which then impacted negatively on the dam bacterial levels causing the sulphuric odour, it said.
“Management has indicated that they are working around the clock to manage the problem using environmentally-friendly products.
“They also confirmed that whilst the waste water smelled bad, the water released into the streams was tested regularly and found to be free of hazardous chemicals,” said Mr Chetty.
At the meeting it was resolved that the mill management would work closely with the conservancies and the councillors to monitor progress made towards rectifying the problem.
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